In brief
Canada will join the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027 after becoming a full member of the European Broadcasting Union last week. This marks the first new country to enter the competition since Australia in 2015, following a turbulent year where several long‑standing nations withdrew over Israel’s inclusion. The Canadian broadcaster CBC/Radio‑Canada has set up a selection process for the 2027 entry, and the contest will take place in Sofia, the 2026 winners’ home country. With a pop history that includes Céline Dion and other Canadian artists competing in 2001 and 2023, Canada’s entry promises to add a fresh dynamic to the Eurovision lineup.
Canada will make its first appearance in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, organisers announced, after the country’s public broadcaster CBC\/Radio‑Canada became a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) last week.
The move makes Canada the first new country to enter since Australia in 2015 and follows a turbulent 2026, when several long‑standing competitors such as Ireland and Spain pulled out over Israel’s participation. The contest’s rules allow entry only to broadcasting organisations that are full EBU members, and CBC had previously been an associate member.
Canadian pop history isn’t new to Eurovision: Quebec‑born Céline Dion represented Switzerland back in 1988, winning the contest with "Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi." Other Canadians—Natasha St‑Pier for France in 2001 and La Zarra for France in 2023—have also performed at the event, signalling a growing presence in the competition.
The 2027 contest will begin in the semi‑finals in Bulgaria, where Bulgaria’s pop star Dara won last year with "Bangaranga," and will be held in Sofia, the 2026 winners’ host city.
CBC/Radio‑Canada will reveal how Canada’s entry will be chosen later this year, a process that could involve a national selection contest, public voting or a panel decision. The broadcaster’s new full EBU status also opens doors for future collaboration and participation in other EBU events.
The announcement comes amid broader discussions about the contest’s inclusivity and membership changes, with voices from broadcasters across Europe calling for a renewed dialogue. Whether the contested 2026 event will resurface in 2027 remains uncertain, but the potential for Canada’s entry adds fresh intrigue.
